CLOCKWORK ANGELS

Well it is finally here! After waiting for more than four years for this album (I didn't get into Rush until after Snakes and Arrows came out) to be released, I finally got to hear this new Rush album, and I was absolutely floored by it. Being a drummer, I am a huge fan of Neil Peart, and boy, oh boy, did he not let me down with this album.

It is exciting to finally get a full concept album from the Canadian Godfathers of Prog. No, 2112 was not a full concept album. The second side had nothing to do with the first, the Priests of Syrinx were NOT riding on a train to Bangkok, nor were they shedding "Tears" over the suicide of the main character. Anyways, I love that the album is cohesive as a whole, yet is just vague enough to have each song stand on its own. Can't wait to get the novelization of the album (a collaboration between Neil Peart, and Kevin Anderson) in the fall so I can fill in the gaps between the songs!

The album starts off with the cool and anthemic, "Caravan". From the atmospheric intro, to the main riff to the verses, I love the sound of this song. Since I first heard it in 2010, it has been one of my favorite Rush tunes. The solo section is absolutely fantastic, showcasing all of the band (I have heard Neil say that with Rush, the solo sections are solo sections for the whole band, and this is an excellent example of that). And seriously, how could you not love that awesome chorus?

Next up we have the crushingly heavy "Bu2b" (Brought Up to Believe). As opposed to the single version from 2010, this version has a new intro, a dreamy little interlude that leads into the main part of the song. The single always seemed to be a bit too immediate for me, with it just going from nothing, right into a blazing guitar riff, so I like the new intro added. Also this song (along with "Caravan") has been remixed and cleaned up a bit. I noticed it more in this song, especially right before the chorus, where it is just Geddy and Alex playing; the bass sounds more defined and less muddy. Another very solid track from from the Holy Triumvirate.

After "Bu2b" comes the title track, "Clockwork Angels" (whoops almost called it "Clockwork Angles"). The verses have a nice shuffle feel, which is a bit uncharacteristic for Rush, but it works really well, and has a free floating kind of feel to it, which nicely sets up the lyrics and theme of the song. This is one of the more progressive songs on the album, with its many different feels and textures. An absolute treat to hear, I must say.

Up next comes "The Anarchist" with it's nice string arrangement. What I like about the track is how well the string section compliments the guys in Rush, adding nice layers to the sound, while avoiding the over layered sounds that were present on some tracks from Snakes and Arrows (not that it was a bad album though!). The vocal performance is good on this one, along with the consistently good playing by the guys behind it.

Following "The Anarchist" comes one of my new favorites to play along to, "Carnies". Allow me to geek out for a bit over the drumming in this song. Holy shizzlenit, I love the drumming in this, the beat through the verses with the crashes and x-hat and flams between the floor tom and snare are so cool and innovative! That is the kind of stuff that gets me excited... ok I'm back. Cool song, eh?

What is that? Is that a ballad? Wha-? I actually really like this next one, "The Halo Effect". The song is nicely executed, and serves to break up the constant heavy assault of the album up to this point. I'm sure we have all been in the same situation as our title character in the story, falling for the idea of someone, and finding out that the object of our attraction isn't the same as our idea of them. Oh so its just me? Ok then...,

Up next is the wonderfully funky "Seven Cities of Gold", which has a nice bass and guitar intro (Geddy said it is supposed to sound like 70s porn music) and has lyrics that really evoke the spirit of being lost in the desert (lyrics inspired by the writings of Cormac McCarthy). I think this song could have about 30-45 seconds peeled off of it, and it would be better, but that is just me. I think parts of it overstay their welcome a bit. That being said, it really isn't a bad song, it just isn't my favorite.

Apparently on the next track, "The Wreckers", Geddy and Alex switched instruments to write the song (they recorded it on their respective instruments though). That makes sense, because this songs has a different sound to it musically. The song is catchy and sounds good, and is fun to listen to. Nothing groundbreaking, but it is still a good tune.

The next song, "Headlong Flight", was released as a single a couple of weeks before the album came out. I remember hastily listening to it online, and not being overly impressed. After the album came out, I gave it a few more listens. It grew on me, with its interesting rhythms, and nice little quote from "Bastille Day" (quote from a friend, "The ripped off the band that did that 'Bastille Day' song."). My favorite part is the instrumental section in the middle, which is a nice showcase for the band to "do their thing" which they always do well.

I have always wished that "Bu2b2" would have just been tacked onto the end of "Headlong Flight" or to the beginning of "Wish Them Well". I also wish it were just a bit shorter. That being said, I get that it is less of a song, and more of a transitory interlude, so I won't judge it too harshly. I see the purpose that it serves, and understand why it made it on the album.

Here we have the wonderfully upbeat "Wish Them Well". Quite a contrast from the pessimistic lament of the previous song, wouldn't ya say? This is another very catchy song, with the double time drumming and pleasing vocal melody. This track also has the nice layering of vocals which gives the chorus a little bit of "oomph". A nice song, with a great message to boot.

And finally, we have what might be one of the most beautiful songs Rush has ever written, "The Garden" (it is either this one, or "Losing It" from Signals, but to be honest I am leaning towards this track!). I seriously almost cried when I listened to this song for the first time. No joke. All I could think of was how perfect of a song this would be for Rush to end their careers on, even though it would be horrible for it to end. I also decided (at the ripe old age of 17, no less) that this is the song I want to be played at my funeral. Write that down in case I get in a horrible accident *knocks on wood*.

Anyways, the arrangement of this song is absolutely perfect (to me at least), from the finger picking on the bass in the beginning, to the piano breakdown in the middle, to the triumphant guitar solo, to the outro sequence. Pure musical beauty ('beauty, eh?"). I love that a song like this, that is just so beautiful and indeed, epic, is the one to close out an album like this that is so epic and well done.

In summation, this isn't the Rush of the 70s, or the Rush of the 80s, 90s or even of the 00s. No, this is the Rush of the 10s. In typical Rush fashion, they have progressed, both as musicians and songwriters, and it really shows on this album. This album has nods to the past, while staying firmly modern and even in parts innovative. I think when we look back in a decade or two, we will count "Clockwork Angels" among the upper echelons of Prog Rock, and will certainly view it as one of Rush's finest hours.

94% Pros: This is a Rush album, pros abound. Rush simply does not put out a bad album anymore (I'm sure underneath all of the muck, "Vapor Trails" is a really good album. I'm sure of it!). Cons: Some songs are just a hair too long, and Geddy's voice isn't getting any younger sounding. Although, in the scheme of things, these are two little things, which in no way overshadow the rest of the album.

I highly recommend this to anyone, go pick this album up, and see what you think about it!